Rosana could hardly express her happiness while she held a small piece of paper during the inauguration and turn-over of core shelter units.

The small piece of paper represents a very important possession in her life, the certificate of completion and occupancy, giving them the go signal to live in the newly built core shelter units by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the provincial Government of Sorsogon.

Rosana, a Pantawid Pamilya beneficiary is one of the 82 recipients of the Core Shelter Assistance Project who is assured of a new shelter.

Each beneficiary received 70,000 for the construction of the core shelter units while the PLGU of Sorsogon awarded the check amounting to P30, 000 per beneficiary for their counterpart. According to Robert Lee, the provincial administration has provided electric power in each relocation site and with also works out for the installation of water system. They also purchased the lot where the shelter units are constructed.

What is noteworthy is that it is only in Bicol and in entire country where a Provincial Government Unit spearheads the implementation of the Core Shelter Assistance Project. Normally, it is the Municipal Local Government Unit (MLGU) who leads its implementation.

According to Mrs. Sonia Garcia Mirasol, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer, the province thru Governor Raul Lee completed and turned-over about 200 units and recently 82 units were awarded; 30 in Talisayan, Prieto Diaz and 52 in Salvacion, Irosin all of Sorsogon province and there are 100 units in Prieto Diaz whose construction is still on-going.

Meanwhile, DSWD Director Arnel B. Garcia explained that the core shelter project is provided to indigent families who were rendered homeless due to disaster. The core shelter is structurally strong and environment friendly shelter units which can withstand 180-220 kph wind velocity,  intensified four earthquakes, floodings and similar hazard. It is a restoration and rehabilitation strategy that uses wash teams to provide laborers in the construction.

The recipients of the project are those staying along the coastal areas and river banks that are vulnerable to typhoon and floodings.   # # #eejerusalem